PopUp Con 2018

Dressed neatly and cleaned up from his earlier exertions, Tsukaisute presents himself at what he has been informed is the appropriate wing of the palace and asks for "the priestess Moshi Fuyumi, with whom I would consult on a spiritual matter, if her duties permit it."

A servant showed Tsukaisute up to the third floor of Kyuden Moshi, which few guests have been allowed to see before now. The Tortoise is led through a large chamber containing a massive contraption of lenses and mirrors that gathered and redirected sunlight from the many high windows, sending beams of brilliant light all over the chamber. A pair of Moshi scholars were intently studying where light was being cast onto the elaborate mosaics built into the floors, taking notes with charcoal and paper.

Finally, Tsukaisute is shown into a smaller room with paper walls, a low table and several cushions on the floor. A hanging scroll is hung from the wooden frame of one of the walls, with the character for 'Courtesy' drawn on it in bold calligraphy. The servant bowed her way out, sliding the shōji door closed behind her.

After only a few minutes, the door slid open again to reveal Moshi Fuyumi.

The shrine maiden bowed deeply and stepped into the room.

"You are so kind to come calling on me again, Kasuga-san," Fuyumi said politely. "I have few diversions here, so your visits have been a welcome respite. Would you care for some tea, or other refreshments?"

Tsukaisute bows. "Tea would be a lovely thing, indeed, Moshi-miko--and fitting for so lovely a place as this.

"And I am pleased to be a source of happiness for my esteemed hostess. I may be able to add to that, I hope."

The servant soon brings a tray holding a pot of tea and two delicate cups.

"I owe you a debt of gratitude for all the help you've been," Fuyumi replied with a friendly smile as she poured the first cup for Tsukaisute. "It would be too much for me to ask for more."

He nods. "You did not ask, and I am glad to do it for a friend."

Is this a gifting thing? I did not think it was, he thinks.

The other voice thinks Of course it's a gift, Baka! Unless you think this little slip of a woman will give you something in return. But why would she?

"You've proven to be a splendid friend, Kasuga-san," Fuyumi said with sincerity. "I hope I can repay your kindness in turn. I was told you needed assistance with some spiritual matter...?" She gave Tsukaisute an inquiring look.

He sips at the tea and nods.

"A question had presented itself to me, and I wish to determine if I answered it correctly. And it is of a matter of forgiveness, which seems to me to be a thing of the soul. So I shall lay it before you, and I shall trust to your wisdom in seeing if I said well or ill.

"I came across a person who had recently, perhaps a year back, moved away from a town that had taken him in. When I spoke with him, he said that he had failed and fled, and that he was worried that a certain person in the town, one upon whom the sunlight shines, would rebuke him mightily. Now, I happened to know that the person in town had sought for the man I found, and I told him so, and I said to him that he should seek to see again that certain someone, to find forgiveness for his failing.

"When I left him, he seemed to be in such a mind. But I must ask if I gave good counsel to that man, for I know that many would abjure him for his sins. So I seek your counsel, to know if I have done well or ill."

Fuyumi swirled the tea in her cup for a moment, as she gave the matter some thought.

"I... I would say this was good advice that you gave him," she said slowly. "There is a great need for more Compassion in the world. Surely this man can move on from the past, and find forgiveness." Fuyumi looked intently at Tsukaisute, as though intuiting a possible deeper meaning behind his words.

Tsukaisute sighs in obvious relief.

"I am glad I have not erred, then. It was something I grew concerned about after our outing yesterday."

"Such decisions are sometimes difficult," Fuyumi agreed. "I am glad you were able to help this person. I only hope that they will heed your advice."

"I think he shall."